Where Contemporary Art Meets Coffee

Fans of fine art and coffee connoisseurs, rejoice: Mott Gallery, an art gallery and coffee shop hybrid, plans to open soon in Carytown. The 2,300-square-foot space, located at 3027 W. Cary St., will sell coffee by Blanchard’s Coffee Roasting Co., baked goods from Kabbie’s Kake Studio — a Williamsburg, Virginia, bakery — and goods from a few as-of-yet-undecided local bakeries. On the coffee side, expect art deco themes and decor; on the gallery front, you'll find for-sale artists' exhibits that rotate monthly.

Aaron Mott, owner, is no stranger to the art scene. He opened a student gallery in Buffalo, New York, while attending school at the State University of New York at Buffalo. The gallery was absorbed into the university when he made his move to Williamsburg, Virginia, but it was a visit to Richmond that spurred his latest art endeavor. He noticed the open space in Carytown, and sought to bring his new concept there.

The plans to open a cafe have moved slowly; the gallery hosted two single-day pop-up sales, one in May and one in June, but the official gallery opening and art show (with coffee!) won't occur until July 31. An expanded menu of cappuccinos, espresso and multiple baked items — namely, baklava, brownies, cookies and cupcakes — will appear later the next month when the coffee shop launches.

“We needed some daily income that would supplement our art sales," Mott says of the cafe. "I connected with Blanchard’s over social media; so great right? And Kabbie's is a neighbor in Williamsburg."

The gallery will focus on contemporary fine art, with a grand opening that will feature sculptures, box constructions and paintings from Frederick Chiriboga, a veteran of the Richmond art scene for roughly 15 years. His self-described style is neo-surrealist guided in early surrealism. For updates on the opening and the gallery, visit mottgallery.com.

Mott Gallery opens July 31 at 3027 W. Cary St. and with hours of 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Its bakery is predicted to open in the third week of August.